Career Explorer Installation and repair
Human edge, growing
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 74% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +4.3% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on physical dexterity and ethical judgement.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $74,340
- Job growth to 2035
- +4.3%
- Openings a year
- 3,600
- People doing it (2025)
- 50,400
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance
- Connect components or supply lines to equipment or tools
- Communicate with others about operational plans or activities
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Disassemble equipment
- Maintain operational records
- Repair tools or equipment
What the work looks like
- Record maintenance information, including test results, material usage, and repairs made.
- Calibrate instrumentation, such as meters, gauges, and regulators, for pressure, temperature, flow, and level.
- Install, inspect and test electric meters, relays, and power sources to detect causes of malfunctions and inaccuracies, using hand tools and testing equipment.
- Test valves and regulators for leaks and accurate temperature and pressure settings, using precision testing equipment.
- Record meter readings and installation data on meter cards, work orders, or field service orders, or enter data into hand-held computers.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relayHuman edge, growing, Index 89, +9.7%
- Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all otherHuman edge, steady, Index 77, +2.5%
- Electric motor, power tool, and related repairersHuman edge, growing, Index 88, +4.4%
- Avionics techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 84, +9.4%
Also known as: Instrument and Electrical Technician (I and E Technician), Measurement Technician, Meter Technician, Valve Technician, Control Valve Mechanic, Control Valve Technician, Electric Meter Technician, Instrument Technician.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.